Old chairs gift on many levels

When I was a teenager I would spend at least part of every weekend with my grandmother. She didn’t drive, so when my grandfather wasn’t available I would take her out on errands. Occasionally, we would stop at an estate sale or at one of the farm sales just outside of town. She loved to look at things, but unlike my grandfather, she didn’t often find anything she wanted to buy.

One Saturday, we stopped by a garage sale in front of one of the older houses in our neighborhood. There were the regular household items and a lot of vintage furniture. As we looked around, I found a pair of pretty 1940s barrel-back chairs, with graceful Queen Anne legs, and fell in love.

I decided I had to have those chairs. They were in good condition, and the sturdy damask fabric, although worn in a few places, was still nice. And they were only $17 each.

The problem was that I didn’t have that much money with me, and my grandmother, who was usually an easy touch for the little knick-knacks I picked up, wasn’t going to hand over $34 without a good reason.

When I asked if she would buy the chairs for me, I could tell she was amused. She asked why I wanted them and reminded me that I didn’t have space for them in my room.

I told her that one day I would have my own place and I would need furniture. I pointed out what a good deal they were, and I finally admitted that I just liked them.

She shook her head and started to say no, but then a funny thing happened. My grandmother stopped, put her hand up to mouth, and gave the chairs a long, thoughtful, look. Then she looked at me. Finally she said, “Well, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to buy them.” I thanked her and ran to pay the woman who was holding the sale.

We loaded the chairs into the back of the station wagon. When we got home, I stored them in the garage.

A few years later, when I was out of school and ready to live on my own, I put the chairs back into the station wagon and moved them into my tiny little apartment on the funky side of town. My grandmother added the wicker settee she had rescued from the Goodwill thrift store 20 years before, and she helped me set up the apartment.

As we worked we talked about how excited I was to have my own home and how times had changed. “Back when I was your age, girls usually didn’t get to do this,” she said, glancing around the room. “But if I had had the chance, I might have liked to have had a little place of my own, too.”

That’s when I understood why she had changed her mind and let me have the chairs. They represented her power to help me be independent and to have a life of my own before I settled down to start a family. The chairs were a gift on many levels.

That was nearly 30 years ago. My grandmother has been gone for more than 20 years, and the chairs have moved with me many times.

They are still sturdy and comfortable. Sitting in them is like getting a hug, and a blessing, from my grandmother.

I think about my life and hers. About the differences and especially now that I am raising my own family, about the similarities.

Sometimes, what begins as just another garage sale bargain becomes a part of our life story. And in that way, part of the legacy we leave behind. My grandmother is with me everyday in those chairs. Perhaps one day, when I am gone and my children have families, the chairs will remind them of me.

Tips on buying upholstered furniture

Don’t overlook upholstered furniture at estate and garage sales. They are often bargain-priced, but the quality is usually much higher than what is available on the market today.

Here are a few tips for buying older sofas and chairs:

Make sure the fabric is not weak. Look for splits and fraying on the arms and across the back. Ordinary wear and tear can be mended and even covered with lace or throw pillows.

Give it the sniff test. Check for signs of pets, cigarette smoke and even dampness. Furniture that hasn’t been stored properly can take on a musty smell that can be hard to remove.

Look for sagging springs. You may only have to re-bind the bottom of the chair using canvas strips available at upholstery suppliers. If the springs need to be re-tied, take the piece to the upholsterer. It’s not a bad idea to have it checked out so structural repairs can be made if necessary.

If the furniture is structurally sound but the fabric is shot, slipcovers in a variety of fabrics can be found at discount stores like Target and specialty stores like Linens ‘n Things. They can also be ordered online at www.surfeit.com and www.todoes.com.

Treasure Hunting around town

The annual Corbin Park garage sale will be this Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Items for sale will include antiques, furniture, vintage linens and photographic equipment. Homes around the park will be participating.